IFAD boss tasks G20 Agric Ministers on rural investment

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has made a case for improved agricultural financing.

Josefina Stubbs, Associate Vice-President of IFAD, who represented the Fund the G20 Agriculture Ministers meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, advocated on behalf of the 76 per cent of the world poorest people who reside in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, stressing that the importance of investing in rural people in developing countries was paramount.

“IFAD believes it is essential to bring millions of smallholder farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs, women and men, into the financial mainstream, if we want them to become capable investors who can drive sustainable and inclusive agriculture and food systems,” Stubbs said.

“The G20 can truly play a catalytic role and create a more enabling environment for increased investment in agriculture and food systems in all countries,” Stubbs added. “And IFAD will continue to provide its expertise to help realise these objectives.”

At the second ever ministerial meeting in Turkey, the focus was on how to encourage high quality, responsible investment in the rural sector and in agriculture.

The G20, a forum for supporting international economic cooperation and decision-making, is made up of 19 countries plus the European Union that represent about 85 per cent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population.

Last year, G20 leaders released the Food Security and Nutrition Framework, which aims to strengthen inclusive economic growth by increasing investment in food systems, raise productivity to expand food supply, and increase incomes and quality jobs.